From
CRI English in China. In the picture, with no seats reserved for the disabled on trains in China, Xie Wenqiang (center), a disabled person, has to stand on a train.
Two disabled men have filed a lawsuit against the Ministry of Railways of China for its failure to provide seats reserved for disabled people. The petition was sent to the Beijing No.1 Intermediate Court on Nov. 1.
The two plaintiffs, Luan Qiping and Xie Wenqiang, who both suffer from mobility problems, had a bad experience when they took a train journey from Beijing to Zibo in eastern China's Shandong province on Oct. 16, which compelled them to file the suit.
They failed to buy proper seated tickets and had to get on the train with standing room tickets, Luan said. Seeing a sign in the carriage that said that disabled people should be given preferential treatment in seating, Luan said they asked for help but the train attendant said there were no seats available.
Unable to stand long periods, Luan and Xie had to sit on the floor. Passengers were forced to walk over them, making them extremely uncomfortable. They finally got off in Tianjin Station two hours after boarding the train.
Later they found that similar situations are experienced by a large number of disabled people, which, to a large extent, keeps them from traveling by train.
Luan said the train is a major means of transportation for them traveling long-distances. He believes that some seats should be specially provided for handicapped people.
"The main aim in suing the Ministry of Railways is to increase awareness of the rights and interests of the disabled." according to Zhou Wei, Professor of human rights law research center of Sichuan University, who will provide free legal service to Luan Qiping and Xie Wenqiang with their case.
From CRI English in China. In the picture, with no seats reserved for the disabled on trains in China, Xie Wenqiang (center), a disabled person, has to stand on a train.